Good night! which put the candle out?

by Emily Dickinson · (no date)
Published 01/07/1880

GOOD night! which put the candle out?

      A jealous zephyr, not a doubt.

      Ah! friend, you little knew

How long at that celestial wick

The angels labored diligent;

      Extinguished, now, for you!


It might have been the lighthouse spark

Some sailor, rowing in the dark,

      Had importuned to see!

It might have been the waning lamp

That lit the drummer from the camp

      To purer reveille!

#emily dickinson #grief #impermanence #light #mortality

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